Bend, OR — A 69-year-old man from Redmond, Oregon, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison this week after he was convicted of identity theft and tax evasion. Michael David Anastasia was also ordered to pay restitution totaling nearly $778,000 to the victim of his identity theft. The restitution owed to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be determined at a later date.
Anastasia’s criminal activities spanned several years, beginning in 2002 and continuing until January 2020. Over that period, he used the stolen identity of an unsuspecting individual to open more than 30 bank accounts and credit cards. In addition to the identity theft charges, Anastasia was convicted of evading a significant tax debt that had accumulated to $1.1 million. His fraudulent actions have left a lasting financial impact on both the victim of his identity theft and the U.S. government.
Court records indicate that Anastasia’s criminal history goes beyond the recent charges. Between 1991 and 2003, he defrauded another victim of $1.4 million by fabricating a story about a supposed agreement with the U.S. government that would grant him access to “seized funds.” In 2007, he was convicted of tax evasion for failing to pay taxes on the money he had obtained through this fraudulent scheme.
Following his release from prison in 2015, Anastasia entered into an agreement with the IRS to make monthly payments toward his outstanding tax debt. However, instead of paying what he owed, Anastasia manipulated a victim into sending him additional funds, which he then had his roommate withdraw in cash and store at his home. Between 2016 and 2018, Anastasia successfully evaded over $180,000 in tax payments.
In February 2024, a federal grand jury in Eugene indicted Anastasia on nine charges, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, tax evasion, and making false statements to financial institutions. He ultimately pleaded guilty to tax evasion and identity theft in September 2024.
The investigation into Anastasia’s crimes was led by the FBI and the IRS, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gavin W. Bruce and William M. McLaren.
As part of his sentencing, Anastasia will also serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of federal authorities to combat identity theft and tax fraud, with consequences that can be severe for those who exploit the system for personal gain.
